School Board expected to approve contract for shared-duty position

The Northern Ozaukee School Board was expected to offer a contract Wednesday to the principal of Colby High School to fill its combined principal position.

If the contract is signed, Jeffrey Sauer will officially begin working as the principal of Ozaukee High School and Ozaukee Middle School on July 1, although he has already spent several days in the district making informal visits with staff members.

The vacancy was created when High School Principal Kevin Parker announced plans to resign at the end of the school year Middle School Principal Pam Warner said she intended to retire.

To save money, the School Board chose to combine the administrative positions.

The opening drew 27 applicants, and four were invited to take part in a more detailed screening process.

Sauer was the choice of a screening committee of teachers and administrators. That selection was confirmed by the board.

“What made Jeff stand out was his willingness to be innovative when it comes to education and his diversity of interests, including athletics and education,” School Board President Paul Krause said.

“He has a background in business, having earned a degree in business administration from Lakeland College, which is not something you often see.”

Sauer was an assistant middle school and high school principal in Waupun from 2005-10, and high school principal in Colby for the past year.

According to his contract, Sauer will be paid a salary of $86,000 plus benefits. Automatic raises are not included in the contract, although annual reviews will be held.

Final details of the contract were being ironed out early this week, with the School Board holding a special meeting Wednesday to finalize the hiring.

District residents will get a chance to meet Sauer during the School Board’s Dinner & Conversation meeting on Thursday, June 9.

The dinner is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. in the high school commons, with time for informal introductions at 7 p.m.

On another administrative front, Krause said the board has reopened its search for a superintendent.

A preliminary screening of candidates had narrowed that field to three, but one of the hopefuls withdrew from consideration.

Supt. Bill Harbron announced earlier that he was stepping down at the end of the current school year.

Until that administrative post is filled, Pupil Services Director Barb Peterka will be serving as acting superintendent.